IT is decision time for many young people receiving their examination results over the summer.

If you are looking to develop a career with a real job, a real qualification and a real future then apprenticeships could be the right choice for you.

The opportunities and options open to potential apprentices have never been greater.

There are more than 170 industries and 1500 job roles now linked to an apprenticeship.

And with 17,000 apprenticeship vacancies available at any one time on the National Apprenticeship Service website this is the place to start your career search today.

To find out more visit apprenticeships.org.uk and follow the step by step guide available in the homepage to search for vacancies and apply online.

From accountancy to veterinary nursing apprenticeships cover more skilled occupations than you would imagine and apprenticeships are available at 3 levels including intermediate, advanced and higher (degree) levels.

Apprenticeships have always been highly regarded in traditional craft areas and new and emerging industries are adopting apprenticeships as the way to recruit and train their workforce of the future.